Dec 07' I applied for SSI benefits.This is my 2nd time applying.The first was Aug 04' for SSDI benefits and as of Jan 08' is pending Federal court appeal.
I recieved notice that ssa has scheduled an exam for me with a internal medical DR.The reason being was they do not have enough information to make a decision.
I have appointments with my Rheumy every 6 weeks.I am skeptical of this exam by a DR that has never seen me before.
I was sent for a "mental exam" by ssa on my 1st application.I was tested for over 2 hours.It was like taking a college entrance exam.The conclusion was that I had some mild impairments that might hinder complex instructions..
Yet the "medicine" I am taking was believed to be the cause.I could follow uncomplicated instructions ...so therefore I could work...at least regarding mental disability.My disability is a physical one...and of course depression becomes part of the picture.I wasn't found to be depressed....GEE...the 40mg of Prozac daily might have a hand in that!

So now I am not sure what to expect with this upcoming physical exam???
Any input....Plzzzzzz.....MB

Dec 07' I applied for SSI benefits.This is my 2nd time applying.The first was Aug 04' for SSDI benefits and as of Jan 08' is pending Federal court appeal.
I recieved notice that ssa has scheduled an exam for me with a internal medical DR.The reason being was they do not have enough information to make a decision.
I have appointments with my Rheumy every 6 weeks.I am skeptical of this exam by a DR that has never seen me before.
I was sent for a "mental exam" by ssa on my 1st application.I was tested for over 2 hours.It was like taking a college entrance exam.The conclusion was that I had some mild impairments that might hinder complex instructions..
Yet the "medicine" I am taking was believed to be the cause.I could follow uncomplicated instructions ...so therefore I could work...at least regarding mental disability.My disability is a physical one...and of course depression becomes part of the picture.I wasn't found to be depressed....GEE...the 40mg of Prozac daily might have a hand in that!

So now I am not sure what to expect with this upcoming physical exam???
Any input....Plzzzzzz.....MB

Hi Maebelle,

I was also seen by a SSA doctor for a physical due to rheumatoid arthritis. This doctor basically checked most of my joints, and had asked me to grip his hands, stand on my heels, toes etc. I refused the tip toe waking due to swollen ankles and simply could NOT do it. Then asked a few questions regarding what I had done in my previous job...That was the extent of of the
exam. The doctor did request x-rays for my hands. After a month or so, I was approved. RA is one of the listings SSA has. Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks Vergie and Exe....I do have my Drs support for disability.I have ankylosing spondylitis,knee athritis,several herniations,spurs,DDD,fibromyalgia and sleep apnea.
I began enbrel injections a few weeks ago.I take ultram,prozac and provigal.
Previously I have tried many meds...all the nsaids,predisone,klonopin,
muscle relaxers,loratab....etc....etc....MB

Not sure I understand why SS wants you to take an exam. If you have Doc support, that's all they need. Unless of course, your documentation and/or Doc support is luke warm....Then, they may want a 2nd opinion or something.

How you react to the exam (in the exam) and what you tell the Doc will have a big impact on his write up, so think through it carefully if you know what I mean.

Also, as a general rule, Docs don't like to disagree with other Docs, so I'd reinforce what's already in your file.

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but, dh also had the full support of his family dr., neuro, and orthopedic surgeon when he went into the exam. The physician (a retired orthopedic surgeon) that SSA sent him to also indicated in his report that dh could not work in any type of capacity. He was still denied which isn't uncommon. The good news is that he eventually was approved by an ALJ who reprimanded SSA for denying him after he had so much support even from 'their' dr.

One other confusing thing that SSA did was to ignore dh's most recent reports that indicated he had developed other dibilitating conditions over the past few years. For his 3rd denial, they only referred to his original application and dr. reports which all pointed to one bad knee. The only reason dh applied the first time was because his long term disability company made it a requirement. I think the system stinks!

You are sooo right! Examples like this is what gives the system a very bad name. As I've posted in response to other posters questions, the system seems to have little to no reasoning why some are approved quickly and other are not. I'm a firm believer that one's age is one of the most determining factors (from SS POV). Simply put, younger applicants are a much higher cost burden and they string those people along hoping that either they'll give up, or recover. Granted, they will pay all the back payments, which may be 2-3 years, but what's the person to do for income in the meantime?? SS knows this, and I think a very high percentage give up. The system needs an overhaul.

With all due respect, in the case you just explained, the ADJ can scold SS all he/she wants, but at the end of the day, all of those folks are Gov't workers and no one ever gets fired. The system has oversight from Congress, and that's about it. I need to stop typing before I get even madder!

For me, I was denied 3 times. I had all of my medical reports from OS, NS, and Neurologist. They sent me to see their neurologist and he said that I was unable to work and listed all my restrictions. After the 3rd denial, I was going to let it go at that, since I did not figure it would do me any good to take it to the hearing level (and I was nervous about having to appear in front of the judge). One day I saw one of those many comercials for a law group, that made me re-think about asking for a hearing, and I called them. They said they thought I had a case and we went from that point on. Within 9 months I had a hearing and while there, my lawyer gave the judge the most recent reports from each of my 5 drs. After my lawyer questioned me and the judge questioned me, the judge asked the vocational specialist if he would be able to find me a job and he said no. The Judge then looked at my lawyer and myself and said that he had to find me fully favorable for social security.

So, I don't know why I wasn't accepted the 1st 3 times with the same information I had for the judge. I even had their own Dr. stating that he thought I could no longer work. But I came close to being one of those who SS hope will give up and go away. If I hadn't seen that comercial and decided to go to a hearing level appeal, I would still be suffering with a limited income.

I hope no one gives up until there is no where else to appeal. You just never know when a person is going to be accepted or not. BTW, I am 45 years old. Maybe that made the difference, who knows.

SSA's 'young' category is from 18 yrs to (I think) 48. I remember that dh was still considered 'young' at 44. He received his final approval at age 46.

You're right, Ex, there is no accountability for those reps who make so many bogus decisions. They didn't care that the ALJ called them on it. It only helped us to gain some satisfaction and feel like justice was served. It was a few minutes of gloating for us but we knew the admin couldn't care less.

Besides age being a factor, I firmly believe that because back problems make up the majority of claims, it is even harder to be approved on that condition alone. Everybody has back problems and it's such a subjective dx in so many cases. Especially when SSA chooses NOT to look at the relavent dr. reports and often considers the reports that only support part of the dx.

Lori, it's so good to hear that you didn't give up and it worked for you! I'm sure you've talked others into sticking with it just by posting here.

Oh Queenee.....don't tell me that ! I thought the waiting is OVER since I got an on the record on Feb. 25. I honestly did not know that the waiting game continues after a decision is made !!! It seems like I've been sitting on pins and needles FOREVER ! I thought that somehow, someway, they'd get those checks out. Well, that's ok. Just knowing I have an approval will suffice for me right now. I was like so many others, wanting desperately to GIVE UP. I'm so happy I didn't. This board has been my "life line". I'm sorry everyone has to suffer so much, but just continue to hang in there and do the right thing....the right thing will soon follow !

Not to be seem disrespectful...but My thread seems to have been highjacked!
If you have issues with backpay ...plz...start a new thread!
My purpose of writing this post was to get advise about my situation.It is rather disheartening to have folks respond complaining about back pay issues...when I have still fighting for my benefits!!!

It has been a long hard unjust road for me thus far!
Yes.... I am happy for and encouraged by those who have recieved favorable decisions.
Perhaps go back to my post and read it again!MB

Not sure I understand why SS wants you to take an exam. If you have Doc support, that's all they need. Unless of course, your documentation and/or Doc support is luke warm....Then, they may want a 2nd opinion or something.

How you react to the exam (in the exam) and what you tell the Doc will have a big impact on his write up, so think through it carefully if you know what I mean.

Also, as a general rule, Docs don't like to disagree with other Docs, so I'd reinforce what's already in your file.

Good luck.

I posted this on Feb 24th in response to your OP and didn't get a response. Knowing why SS wants you to see an independent examiner is very important information. It sounds as if they don't think you have a complete or up-to-date file. Not real sure.

Not to be seem disrespectful...but My thread seems to have been highjacked!
If you have issues with backpay ...plz...start a new thread!
My purpose of writing this post was to get advise about my situation.It is rather disheartening to have folks respond complaining about back pay issues...when I have still fighting for my benefits!!!

It has been a long hard unjust road for me thus far!
Yes.... I am happy for and encouraged by those who have recieved favorable decisions.
Perhaps go back to my post and read it again!MB

Maebelle ......I was reading your post and wanted to shed some ray of hope to those that responded to your post and to you. I wanted to shed some of my experience in this long journey. I ,like the rest on this board come to this board for some information from experience and also some encouragement. My main reason for posting was to share that I had won with a back issue case, was a younger candidate and share some of my time frames. I also was trying to show you how with my doctors testing and reports and letters he summited I never had to be sent to one of their doctors. I feel the more tests results and functioning tests you turn in the better the out come, that was what won my case for me.Sometimes with a post it does get off track and I 'm sorry if I offended you but I feel that is just so someone can jump in and add further to one of the posters. Sorry if you feel I hijacked your post ........I just wanted to share with you and the other's that posted , I wanted to encourage you and the others to not give up and to show how if it worked for me it could work for you as well ........

Thanks Queenee...I probably have been over sensitive thru all this hardship.
I do appreciate the encouragement....I need all I can get!
This experience has been so frustrating for me and my family.I still am in
"disbelief" that after all these yrs I have continued to be denied.

I do believe my "age" has been major factor.The "grids" have been against me.
I also believe that since my "back" is a major part of my disability...this has caused me to be shunned or not taken seriously by SSA.Any mention of "back" alerts a red flag!
My medical records...x-rays..Mri's,myleogram,bloodwork,exams etc...state the facts.My Rheumy submitted a RCF describing my limitations...which more than met SSA criteria.
I did have an exam today by a Dr SSA appointed.I have no dought that the DR clearly established all medical facts and limitations to be accurate and true.However I won't be too certain of anything at this point.SSA has a way of twisting facts.I guess in another month I will know.
Thanks for listening and caring...it means alot!I hope all is going well for you.MB